• Don't load up the shovel. Instead, take it slowly and shovel less at a time. Pushing the snow rather than lifting it is far less strenuous. "The shovel is designed to hold a lot more snow than your body is designed for," says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Gott.

• It's very possible to get a muscle spasm in your back from shoveling. "Using the shovel, you're going to be lifting 50 pounds of snow with every single load. People who don't do that for a living can't take that kind of insult on their back," says Gott. Bend from the knees, not the waist.

• If you have chest pain while shoveling, stop immediately. Angina, a less serious form of chest pain, will disappear after you've stopped, says Gitig. But chest pain can also be the warning sign of a heart attack. If you also feel faint, sweaty or start vomiting, call 911.

• Even if you have chest pain that disappears, stop shoveling and call your doctor. Any form of angina means the heart is not getting enough blood, and might indicate a blockage of some sort.